MP alleges deals with Cabinet picks on trust vote

KABUL (Pajhwok): A Wolesi Jirga or lower house member on Monday alleged some ministers-designate had offered government jobs to relatives of lawmakers in return for granting them the vote of confidence.

Hameed Tahmasi has been nominated as minister-designate for the Ministry of Transport, Mohammad Shafiq Gul Agha Sherzai for the ministry of border and tribal affairs and Tariq Shah Bahrami for defense.

Abdul Latif Roshan has been named by the president as his pick for the slot of higher education minister, Faizullah Zaki for ‘labor, social affairs, martyrs and disabled’ and Nargis Nehan for mines and petroleum.

Wais Ahmad Barmak has been nominated to head the ministry of interior, Shahzad Gul Aryubi the ministry of telecommunication and information technology and Yama Yari public works ministry.

Mirbat Khan Mangal, a lawmaker from southeastern Paktia province, told today’s session: “Some of Wolesi Jirga members have struck such deals with ministers-designate. They would vote them in return for employment of favorite persons to certain posts.”

He did not name anyone, but said such deals between ministers-designate and lawmakers were shameful and the administrative board of the house must intervene.

Mangal said he had evidence to support his claims. “If candidates find their way to ministries through deals and paying bribe, they would never prevent corruption,” he said.

Ghulam Hussain Naseri, a lawmaker from Maidan Wardak province, said: “The house members who come such statements should expose the names of lawmakers and ministers-designate.”

“Some lawmakers have preconditions before they vote for any ministers-designate, it is the government’s job to expose any wrongdoing,” he concluded.